BORO midfielder Kevin Thomson has set his sights on an early return despite fracturing his fibula last month.

The 25-year-old suffered the injury at Leicester in August and it was feared that he would be out of action for a couple of months.

However, the Scot claims that he could be back much earlier than expected.

Thomson said: “The lads have a double header coming up at QPR and at home to Burnley, but I would like to think I would be in contention for the game against Reading the Saturday after that.

"A lot depends on how things go over the next week to 10 days.”

Thomson’s fellow Scot Kris Boyd will start his first Scotland game for three years after being recalled for the Euro qualifier against Liechtenstein.

The Boro striker will line up alongside former Rangers team-mate Kenny Miller in a 4-4-2 formation tonight, though the switch from 4-5-1 means there is no place for Barry Robson - who played in the last qualifier in Lithuania.

Boro defender Stephen McManus keeps his place at centre-back.

Goalkeeper Jason Steele is in the England Under-21 squad for their Euro qualifier against Lithuania at Colchester.